In response to the tragic events in Paris this past weekend, the Library staff has asked crisis counselor Keri Hicks for permission to repost these tips from her blog on how to help your children and teens cope with anxiety and terror. For those of you who would like more information, Keri will be hosting a discussion at the Library (click here for details).
Talking About Terrorism
All trauma impacts children, and terrorism is a unique type of traumatic event. Like all trauma, it is sudden and unpredictable. Unlike all trauma, it is inherently violent. Individuals purposefully harm others, which makes it particularly hard to explain. And terrorism stresses the entire community – no one escapes being impacted, even our children.
WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?
So how do we talk to our children? How do we know what’s right to say to a 5 year old? 9 year old? 14 year old? Each time we are confronted by terrorism the situation will be unique, and we will once again struggle with what to say. But there are some general tips that can help you navigate these conversations at any developmental stage:
HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD MANAGE THIS STRESS?
There are some measures you can take that are protective during times of stress. These work regardless of the stressor, but are particularly relevant to terrorism:
SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
There are many common and perfectly normal psychological reactions to terrorist attacks. Children may show normal reactions such as sadness and fear. In addition, it is possible for children’s anxiety to manifest itself as physical pain or bad dreams. Younger children may exhibit some separation anxiety. Older children may be more aggressive or moody.
Children are resilient, and reactions will most often work themselves out over time. Using the above techniques will help children to feel safe and secure and allow them to manage the additional stress. But if you notice changes that are significant, or that do not subside over a few weeks, it may be best to check with a school counselor or other mental health professional.
Additional resources (in English):
“Talking to Children about Terrorism and War” by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent PsychiatryAmerican Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Additional resources (in French):
“Attentats de Paris : les bons mots pour expliquer aux enfants” by Astrapi
“Attentats à Paris : comprendre ce qu’il s’est passé” by 1 Jour 1 Actu
“Et maintenant, que va-t-il se passer ?” by Le P’tit Libé (Libération)
Starting on Saturday 16 January, the Library will close each night at 18h in accordance with the new national curfew.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Library will open early to compensate for the reduced evening hours.
Tue–Fri: 10h–18h | Sat: 9h30–18h | Sun: 12h–18h | Mon: Closed